# Automotive Engineering Technicians

> Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 17-3027.01
- **Summary:** Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.

## Aliases

- Laboratory Technician (Lab Technician)
- Research Technician
- Automotive Design Checker (Auto Design Checker)
- Automotive Engineering Technician
- Automotive Technician (Auto Technician)
- Automotive Test Technician (Auto Test Technician)
- Durability Technician
- Performance Technician
- Transportation Engineering Technician

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.i |
| Set up mechanical, hydraulic, or electric test equipment in accordance with engineering specifications, standards, or test procedures. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Inspect or test parts to determine nature or cause of defects or malfunctions. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Monitor computer-controlled test equipment, according to written or verbal instructions. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.b |
| Analyze test data for automotive systems, subsystems, or component parts. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.l |
| Install equipment, such as instrumentation, test equipment, engines, or aftermarket products, to ensure proper interfaces. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.t |
| Perform or execute manual or automated tests of automotive system or component performance, efficiency, or durability. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.l |
| Maintain test equipment in operational condition by performing routine maintenance or making minor repairs or adjustments as needed. | Core | 4.A.3.b.5.c |
| Analyze performance of vehicles or components that have been redesigned to increase fuel efficiency, such as camless or dual-clutch engines or alternative types of air-conditioning systems. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.g |
| Improve fuel efficiency by testing vehicles or components that use lighter materials, such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, or plastic. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.c |
| Fabricate new or modify existing prototype components or fixtures. | Core | 4.A.3.b.2.d |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation. | 4.A.3.b.2.e |
| Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources. | 4.A.4.c.3.e |
| Operate industrial equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance. | 4.A.4.b.6.e |
| Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations. | 4.A.1.a.2.b |
| Review technical documents to plan work. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Maintain test equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.c |
| Install instrumentation or electronic equipment or systems. | 4.A.3.a.2.t |
| Inspect finished products to locate flaws. | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment. | 4.A.1.b.2.l |
| Document design or operational test results. | 4.A.3.b.6.i |
| Create physical models or prototypes. | 4.A.3.b.2.d |
| Analyze test or validation data. | 4.A.2.a.4.l |
| Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products. | 4.A.2.a.4.g |
| Test products for functionality or quality. | 4.A.1.b.2.c |
| Research advanced engineering designs or applications. | 4.A.1.a.1.t |
| Test green technologies or processes. | 4.A.1.b.2.b |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 4.52 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 4.22 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 4.11 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.93 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.88 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.88 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.81 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.75 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.75 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Physics | knowledge | 3.67 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.62 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.62 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.5 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.5 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.5 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.5 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.38 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.38 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.38 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.38 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.38 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.25 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.25 |
| Transportation | knowledge | 3.15 |
| Mathematics | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Repairing | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Design | knowledge | 3.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.12 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.12 |
| Visualization | ability | 3.12 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.12 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3.12 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| PTC Creo Parametric | Specialized Skill |
| IBM Notes | Specialized Skill |
| Autodesk Inventor | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| A&D Technology iTest | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Autodesk Inventor | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Data acquisition software | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| IBM Notes | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| National Instruments LabVIEW | Development environment software | no | no |
| PTC Creo Parametric | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| E-Mail | 4.96 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.89 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.77 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.67 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.41 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.37 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.3 |
| Contact With Others | 4.19 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 3.93 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.85 |
| Time Pressure | 3.81 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 3.7 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.67 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.67 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.56 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.56 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.52 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.48 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.41 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 3.33 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.33 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.33 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.3 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 3.19 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.15 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.15 |
| Level of Competition | 3.11 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.07 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.89 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 2.85 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 2.85 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 2.85 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.81 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 2.78 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 2.74 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.67 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 2.63 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.59 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 2.48 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.46 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 3
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- **Experience:** Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- **Svp Range:** (6.0 to < 7.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 37.04 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 29.63 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 14.81 |
| Master's Degree | 11.11 |
| High School Diploma | 3.7 |
| Some College Courses | 3.7 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 7 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 6.47 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 6.24 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 5.37 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.45 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 3.34 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 2.98 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 2.8 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 2.6 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 2.57 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.47 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 2.45 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.93 |
| Intellectual Curiosity | work_style | 1.86 |
| Innovation | work_style | 1.77 |
| Integrity | work_style | 1.7 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 17-3028.00 | role-17-3028-00 | Calibration Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 17-3021.00 | role-17-3021-00 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 17-3027.00 | role-17-3027-00 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 17-3023.00 | role-17-3023-00 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 17-3024.01 | role-17-3024-01 | Robotics Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 49-3023.00 | role-49-3023-00 | Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | Primary-Long |
| 49-2093.00 | role-49-2093-00 | Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment | Primary-Long |
| 17-3026.00 | role-17-3026-00 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 49-2091.00 | role-49-2091-00 | Avionics Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 17-3024.00 | role-17-3024-00 | Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 17-2141.02 | role-17-2141-02 | Automotive Engineers | Supplemental |
| 17-2141.00 | role-17-2141-00 | Mechanical Engineers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Advanced Manufacturing | advanced-manufacturing |
| Supply Chain & Transportation | supply-chain-transportation |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Associate's degree

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | engineering-engineering-related-technologies-technicians |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 68730
- **Mean Wage:** 72450
- **Pct10Wage:** 46940
- **Pct25Wage:** 57330
- **Pct75Wage:** 82980
- **Pct90Wage:** 100890
- **Employment:** 37450
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 19270 | 69640 | 6.22 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 10280 | 72560 | 3.93 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 4410 | 74340 | 15.7 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 2350 | 59350 | 1.6 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 1790 | 61960 | 0.82 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 1290 | 58240 | 2 |
| 541380 | 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | National industry | 1020 | 64670 | 24.64 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 930 | 76360 | 1.36 |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 590 | 78390 | 4.24 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 430 | 54750 | 0.13 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 250 | 94270 | 1.78 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 210 | 58250 | 3.33 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 541380 | 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | National industry | 1020 | 24.64 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 4410 | 15.7 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 19270 | 6.22 |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 590 | 4.24 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 10280 | 3.93 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 210 | 3.33 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 1290 | 2 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 250 | 1.78 |
- **Count:** 21

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.38 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.1192367 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 0.2558563 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.273681 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 55
- **Percentile:** 54
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 46 | felten_aioe |
| 44 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 75 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.1192367 | 46 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.5 | 44 | Moderate | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.22508751084312686 | 75 | High | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.38
- **Percentile:** 43
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.05555555555555555
- **Beta:** 0.2777777777777778
- **Gamma:** 0.5

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools. | 0.013968259185157494 | 4.26 |
| Analyze test data for automotive systems, subsystems, or component parts. | 0.006162467287569483 | 4.11 |
| Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts. | 0.0030812336437847413 | 4.19 |
| Set up mechanical, hydraulic, or electric test equipment in accordance with engineering specifications, standards, or test procedures. | 0.0023622791269016347 | 4.22 |
| Participate in research or testing of computerized automotive applications, such as telemetrics, intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, or automatic control. | 0.0015406168218923706 | 3.36 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 0
- **Growth Percentile:** 26
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 3.2
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 39
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 38.3
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 38.3

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Ai Playbook

- **Trusted Task Count:** 1
- **Task Count:** 2
- **Total Sample:** 60
- **Autonomy Median:** 3
- **Dominant Collaboration:** directive
- **Automation Share:** 43.59
- **Work Use Percent:** 53.85

### Collaboration

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| directive | 43.59 |

### Use Case

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| work | 53.85 |
| personal | 41.03 |

### Delegated Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Collaboration | Autonomy Median | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts. | 0.0039004875609451183 | directive | 3 | 39 |

### Boundary Tasks

| Task | Human Needed Percent | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts. | 100 | 39 |

### Seed Prompts

| Prompt | Collaboration |
| --- | --- |
| Do this for me: read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts. Give me a finished draft I can review and adjust. | directive |
- **Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 18
- **Skills:** 36
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 11
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 8a700041ff3d3907